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FYI
08-18-2001

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!

Wheaton, Illinois – This week marks the 1st Anniversary of e-KMI.com. Touting itself as “The #1 source for karting news and information on the Internet” is a lofty statement, but one not taken lightly. During the past year, the site has furnished readers around the world with 205 feature news stories in FYI, with an additional 505 narratives in News Briefs – a total of 710 reports! - a figure no other karting web site can come close to matching. We have also furnished unprecedented exposure for 120 products and services in “Neat Stuff”, a monthly new products column, as well featuring well over 100 interesting and informative articles in all the other regular monthly columns. Miss something? Remember everything on e-KMI.com is archived for future reference for your convenience.

In covering the entire sport of go-karting, we realize that each article, story or column may not appeal to each and every reader – just like a newspaper. But with karting the most popular motorsport in the world, we hope readers will be able to understand how the four portions of the sport (Racing, Fun, Concession and Indoor Kart Racing) are interrelated.

Thank you, the readers, for making e-KMI.com the #1 choice for those who want hard karting news and information without all the chit-chat, finger pointing, and politics! We would also like to thank our advertisers: FKP/JBK, AMB it USA, RaceKartClutch.com, and Max-Torque Ltd. for their support. Without them e-KMI.com would not be possible. And remember… if you have news, new product releases or anything of interest related to any aspect of karting, please e-mail it to karting@msn.com. – Darrell Sitarz, President/CEO

TECUMSEH PURCHASES CZECH ENGINE MANUFACTURER

Grafton, Wisconsin – Tecumseh Products Company has purchased Motoco Engines and Fuel Systems, an engine and carburetor manufacturer headquartered in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.

Motoco produces two-stroke engines, single and twin cylinder four-stroke engines and carburetors. Tecumseh purchased Motoco because its manufacturing capabilities complement the company’s product mix, according to J.E. Martinco, vice-president of Tecumseh Engine and Transmission Group.

“The finished engines will be sold primarily to our European market,” Martinco said. “And with the addition of carburetor manufacturing capacity, we can now more easily supply all of Tecumseh’s facilities worldwide.”

Tecumseh Products Company is the largest manufacturers of engines and transmissions for the outdoor power equipment industry, (including go-karts). Tecumseh’s Engine and Transmission Group is headquartered in Grafton, Wisconsin. With its pump and compressor groups, Tecumseh is a $1.6 billion global corporation employing approximately 17,500 people.

TRACKMAGIC ANNOUNCES NEW DEALER

San Francisco, California – Trackmagic Racing has expanded its distribution into Michigan and strengthened their Midwest program with the addition of T2 RaceKarts of Wixom, Michigan as its newest dealer.

“We are very excited to have T2 RaceKarts on our side,” said George Barros of Trackmagic Racing. “They have been very successful with any chassis line they have distributed in the past and provide very good customer service. Their success has not gone unnoticed and we are expecting good things from the relationship.”

T2 RaceKarts has had one of the Midwest’s leading karting program for the past few years, including both turn-key shifter kart packages as well as a highly successful arrive-and-drive program with lapping days and complete race weekends. One of the most exciting new offerings from T2 and Trackmagic will be the debut of the “TrackMax”, a new kart for the popular and cost-effective Rotax Max class. The TrackMax kart will offer the ease of push button start, with the reliability and performance of the Rotax/Trackmagic combination.

“This TrackMax” kart is an exciting development for new karters and veterans alike,” said Brian Kay, T2 RaceKarts President. “We believe that customers will enjoy this product as well as the lower price.”

Kay is just as excited about being able to offer the Trackmagic product to Michigan and the Midwest and plans to provide the same customer support that T2 RaceKarts has been known for.

“The great thing about offering the Trackmagic line is that it is a proven winner. It is a ‘no excuses’ chassis and the customer knows they are receiving a quality product that performs on the track,” Kay said.

T2 RaceKarts plans to attend and provide at-track support for the remainder of the Championship Enduro Series and assorted Mid-States and SKUSA Great Lakes Region events. For more info, log onto www.t2racekarts.com or call 248-624-8831.

WORLD WATERPARK ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

Lenexa, Kansas – The World Waterpark Association (WWA) announced the appointment of Rick Root as President/CEO for the association. A veteran of the waterpark industry, Root has more than fifteen years of senior level experience in all aspects of park management. He has served as General Manager for public sector, privately owned and corporate facilities, most recently Six Flags White Water in Atlanta, Georgia.

Root has served as an officer on the WWA Board of Directors since 1997. He has been a featured speaker at the WWA’s Annual Symposium for the last 13 years and has been recognized with a “Best Speaker” award for his presentations on Management and Leadership. His background also includes significant non-profit experience including service as chair and board member for both local and statewide organizations.

Root’s appointment follows the April, 2001 loss of Al Turner, the organization’s founder and President. “Al Turner conceived and created this unique organization. He was a catalyst behind the growth of the waterpark industry for more than two decades,” said Terry Turner, WWA Chairman and VP Construction, Maintenance and Engineering, Paramount’s Carowinds. “Rick comes to us with an impressive record in the industry. His expertise and leadership will help us build on Al’s vision and will ensure that the WWA and its members continue to grow and prosper in the future.”

This is an important juncture for our association,” said Root, “with the support of our park and supplier members, the governance of our elected Directors, and the continued hard work of our staff, the WWA will become stronger, meet the changing needs of our membership worldwide and continue to grow with our ever-expanding industry.”

The WWA is the world’s premier water leisure trade association serving more than 1,200 park and, supplier members representing 52 countries. The organization’s annual Symposium and Trade Show will take place in Orlando, Florida, October 9-13, 2001. For more info log-on to www.waterpark.org.

CONSISTENCY BRINGS MILLER CLOSER TO CHAMPIONSHIP

Madison, Illinois – Nationally ranked S1 shifter pilot Marc Miller, turned in consistent performances at the latest edition of the MG Tires/Championship Enduro Series (CES) and SSC Pro Shifter Series events at Gateway International Raceway.

Miller piloting his Intense Karting-backed TonyKart entry, sat in third place in the final tally for both the CES SK1 and SSC Racing S1 Pro classes.

“We came here with the intention of winning both races, but more importantly to leave with the points lead for both classes,” said Miller. “Once again PSL Karting has made a “killer” TM 125 available to me while the new TonyKart I have been running from Intense Karting has been terrific. Consistency is what is going to win these championships and it was a good feeling to be closer to that goal.”

Saturday morning qualifying found Miller sitting third for both events but in the CES SK1 race he wasted no time moving to the lead and by half-way led a two kart draft away from the rest of the field. Leading 95% of the race at the fast Gateway International would be a great position to be in if you were the only driver in the pack, but the long straights allow for very strong drafting effects, making it difficult to win the race leading the last lap. With four laps remaining, Miller began to experience ignition trouble, allowing the third place driver to catch and pass on the final lap to take the lead and win. It turned out that a loose spark plug boot has cost Miller a good chance of victory. He finished third by less than a tenth of a second.

For the SSC Racing Pro Shifter race, Miller took a decidedly different approach. He elected not to try to lead throughout the 25-minute race until the final few laps. Miller raced second and third for the entire race, working with the lead pack of three to pull out a lead over the rest of the field. With three laps remaining, Miller began to jockey for position and tried a drafting move coming to the line that wasn’t quite enough as he finished .139 seconds back from the victory in the third position.

“Another hard fought race, but it feels great to be standing back on the podium again,” said Miller. Miller will next compete on a non-points event at Putnam Park in late August before returning to Gateway on September 1-2 for round #6 of the CES/SSC series. Miller currently leads the CES S1 standing by a large margin and has a slight 20-point lead over Clayton Parter in the SSC Racing Pro Series with three rounds remaining.

END

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